When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, he began with instructions for his protégé to remain in Ephesus and contend for the faith. In particular, he identified a certain set of false teachers who desired the office but didn’t understand “what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions” (1 Tim 1:7). Focusing on myths and endless genealogies, these men (and women?) were leading people astray. And so, Paul who had spent ample time in Ephesus (see Acts 19), called Timothy to confront false teaching with apostolic truth.
To say it more specifically, he called Timothy to teach the law of God properly and to do so in a way that leads to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here’s how he puts it in 1 Timothy 1:8–11.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
In these four verses, Paul affirms the goodness of the law (v. 8a), the possibility of misusing the law (v. 8b), the objects of the law (sinners) with specific violations (vv. 8–11), and the telos (or goal) of the law—the gospel (v. 11). Still, what law does Paul have in mind? Is it law in general? Or, is it the law covenant with Moses? More specifically, does Paul’s list of violations call to mind the Decalogue, the Ten Words given to Moses on Mount Sinai? Or is Paul listing violations that are found in Ephesus, or that are just common to man?
Questions like these are just some of the ways that Christians have grappled with law in the Bible. Indeed, from Calvin’s three uses of the law to the tripartite division of the law expressed in various Reformed confessions, Bible-believing Christians have approached the law in various ways. Even in passages like the one just cited (1 Tim. 1:8–11), faithful brothers have drawn different conclusions about whether Paul is specifically listing all ten words or only generally referring to the law.1 And thus, debate continues.
1. For instance, Doug Ponder affirms all Ten Commandments in order in 1 Timothy 1:8–11, while Andy Naselli, in his new commentary on 1 Timothy, is more circumspect. Naselli’s approach to the law in 1 Timothy 1:8–11 will be published later this month.
This month, Christ Over All steps into the arena to address many of these questions. And though we are not providing a forum for all “five views of the law,” we do hope to provide a month that follows Paul’s admonition to Timothy. “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith,” or at least that is our prayer. As Paul says in Romans 13:8, “the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” And so, with love in our hearts, we want to obey the law and help others do the same.
Indeed, as all Protestants know and confess, it is not by the works of the law that anyone is justified (Gal. 2:16). Nevertheless, all who are justified by grace alone will have the law of God written on their hearts (Jer. 31:33). And with new hearts, we are called to know and understand God’s law, such that the law leads us to Christ, the great law-keeper, who has saved us from our law-breaking and empowered us to live holy and upright lives.
Now, admittedly, that last sentence was a mouthful. But that only proves the point that when we discuss the law of God, we have to hold multiple truths in tension. And this month, we will consider many of the truths related to God’s law, the law and gospel, the Ten Commandments, and how Christ fulfills these commandments and then applies them to our hearts by the Spirit. Therefore, if you want to learn more about the law of God, stay tuned all month as we consider the many ways in which the eternal law of God is revealed progressively throughout Scripture and perfectly in the person and work of Jesus Christ—the one who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
Intermission: Christ Over All Mix Tape (2022–2026) (August 2026)
As we begin a new month, don’t miss our last month, or the last four years. Since 2022, Christ Over All has been publishing resources on the Bible, theology, church, and culture. And in August, we ran the clock back to retrieve some of our favorite essays. You can find the list below. And you can find all our previous months on our themes page, where formatted PDFs are available for digital download.
5.42 “The Order of Love and a Defense of Biblical Patriotism” by Alex Kocman, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum interview Alex Kocman on his COA Longform Essay, “The Order of Love and a Defense of Biblical Patriotism”
Christ Over All by Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • What is the state of the evangelical church and what can be done about it? What scriptures form the basis for the declaration that Christ is over all? Learn from Christ Over All’s very first published longform essay.
Neither Covenant Children, Nor Evangelism by Proxy: Recovering a Baptist Approach to Raising Children in the Lord by David Schrock • Concise Article • How do Baptist beliefs inform our parenting? We neither treat our children as automatic members of the covenant, nor do we neglect our holy responsibility to instruct them in the Lord.
Progressive Covenantalism and 1689 Federalism: Comparing Baptist Covenantal Theologies by Richard Lucas • Concise Article • How is Progressive Covenantalism different from 1689 Federalism? And do these Baptist covenantal theologies differ from Reformed covenant theology?
Francis A. Schaeffer: The Legacy of His Life and Thought by Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • If the legacy of Francis Schaeffer is boiled down into four lessons, what would they be? Read Stephen Wellum as he distills the marrow of Schaeffer for today’s Christian.
5.43 “Soft Jihad: Multiculturalism, Islamic Conquest, and Christianity” by Aaron Edwards, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum interview Aaron Edwards on his testimony and COA Longform Essay “Soft Jihad: Multiculturalism, Islamic Conquest, and Christianity”
A Roadmap for Reforming the ERLC by David Mitzenmacher • Concise Article • This is what must happen for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to thrive.
The Kingdom of God in Hebrews by Matthew Emadi • Concise Article • The kingdom of God is foundational to the storyline of the Bible. Throughout Scripture, God is working to establish his rule over his people in his place. The book of Hebrews shows us that this kingdom has finally been brought about with the reign of our resurrected king.
Socialism and the Twisted Legacy of Slavery: A Cautionary Tale from The Great Society by Trent Hunter • Longform Essay • Although there were good intentions along the way, the “Great Society” did much more harm than good. What can this lesson in human pride teach us in our own day?
5.44 “Socialism and the Twisted Legacy of Slavery: A Cautionary Tale from the ‘Great Society’” by Trent Hunter, David Schrock, & Kevin Briggins • Podcast Interview • Listen in as David Schrock is joined by special guest Kevin Briggins to interview Trent Hunter on his COA Longform Essay, “Socialism and the Twisted Legacy of Slavery: A Cautionary Tale from the ‘Great Society’”
What Should Christians Think about the Nation of Israel Today? by Stephen Wellum • Concise Article • As Christians, how should we understand the modern nation of Israel? And how does this understanding shape our view of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas?
Christ Concealed and Revealed: “Did Not the Messiah Have to Suffer These Things and then Enter His Glory?” Luke 24:13–35 by Ardel Caneday • Longform Essay • Like the men on the road to Emmaus, both our eyes and the Scriptures must be opened. Christ-centered interpretation happens because the entire Old Testament is Christ-centered revelation.
Wanted: Short Stories That Glorify God by David Schrock • Concise Article • Christ Over All wants to publish your short story! Cash prizes available, to the glory of God. Read for details
How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire by Clinton Manley • Longform Essay • Properly wielded satire can be a weapon of exposing sin in the hope of reform. What are its rules of engagement for Christians?
5.45 “How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire” by Clinton Manley, David Schrock, & Trent Hunter • Podcast Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Clinton Manley on his Christ Over All essay: “How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire”
Christianity Vs. Marxism by Jonathan Wellum • Concise Article • Can we combine a theory such as Marxism with our Christian faith? In this article, Jonathan Wellum displays how Marxist thought proves antithetical to the Bible’s witness concerning wealth, property, and labor.
Christianity, Biblical Law, and Constitutionalism by Joe Boot • Concise Article • What does Jerusalem have to do with Washington? God’s law, revealing God’s character, wisdom, and authority, has much to say about how nations ought to be governed.
The Challenge of Eastern Orthodoxy: Comparing Evangelical and Eastern Orthodox Theology by Tony Costa • Concise Article • Young Protestants are reportedly departing for Eastern Orthodoxy in droves. What are the major differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Evangelical Protestant Christianity?
After Complementarianism, What? Why Egalitarians Are (Still) Winning the Evangelical Gender Debate by Doug Ponder • Concise Article • Will the real complementarians please stand up? Why it’s time for thick/broad/natural complementarians to embrace the label of “biblical patriarchy” to differentiate themselves from the declining thin/narrow/ideological complementarians.
Liberty, Not Separation: The Historic Development of Baptist Perspectives on Church and State by Marc Minter • Longform Essay • A historical exploration showing that Baptists long affirmed religious liberty without requiring a separation of church and state, tracing the shift in the 20th century.
5.46 “Albert Mohler on Christian Nationalism” by Albert Mohler, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Albert Mohler joined the Christ Over All podcast to discuss Christian nationalism. Listen to his interview here.
News and Notes
First, September 6 is Christ Over All’s birthday.
If you have been blessed by the work of Christ Over All, consider helping us go for another year by making a contribution of $25, $50, or $100. This ministry depends upon the generosity of readers like you. And so, every gift helps us keep the lights on and the resources rolling. At the same time, for every gift of $50 or more, you will get access to our new subscription service, COA+. You can make that donation here.
Second, don’t miss two in-person gatherings—one in Cookeville (TN); one in Denver.
On September 26, in Cookeville, Tennessee, David Schrock will be joining the Kairos Christian Alliance for their Muscular Christianity Conference. This one-day event will address rising threats facing the church today (e.g., paganism, Islam, secularism, feminism, and more). Calling for Christians to stand firm in the faith, a team of pastors and Christian leaders will bolster the faith of all who come. You can register online. And if you use the discount code SCHROCK (I didn’t make this up ;-), you will get thirty percent off.
Then, on November 17–19, many of us from Christ Over All will be returning to the Evangelical Theological Society in Denver, Colorado. If you will attend ETS, make plans to join us for a Wednesday night fellowship, as we hang out together.
Third, collecting Christmas short stories is now in full swing.
In December, we are looking for short stories (under 5,000 words) that (1) engage the theme of Christmas and (2) provide some kind of moral lesson. Taking our cues from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, we are looking to foster many edifying “Christmas Carols to the Glory of God.”
So, if you are a storyteller, or have a story to tell, or know someone who does, we are going to have a competition where winners will have their story published during December. And depending on the numbers, we will also read some of these stories on our podcast, and even do some interviews with the authors.
The submission deadline is November 15, 2026. Questions and submissions can go to Ch*************@***il.com. And Lord willing, all winners and runners-up (whom we will publish too) will be announced throughout December.
Fourth, the 2027 calendar is here . . . as the Lord allows.
After looking at the Ten Commandments (September), Pastors and Politics (October), Economics (November), and Christmas Short Stories (December), here are the plans for 2027.
January: Christian Spiritual Disciplines
February: Dating, Marriage, Sex, and Procreation
March: Cross-Cultural Missions
April: Christ’s Ascension
May: Got Health? Assessing Modern Medicine
June: A Protestant Critique of Roman Catholicism
July: The Doctrine of Salvation
August: COA Mixtape (2026–27)
September: The Psalms
October: The Christian Mind: Thinking Our Thoughts After God
November: Leadership: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
December: Christmas Buffet: An Edifying Assortment
If you are interested in writing on a subject, let us know by emailing us at Ch*************@***il.com.
That’s all for now. Until next time, let us remember that Christ is Lord over all, and in all things let us exalt Christ.
